Trails

​The Municipality of Chatham-Kent maintains over 226 km of recreational trails and pathways, and more trails are being planned in partnership with communities across the region. Ranging in length from 100 m to 32 km, the trails have been constructed with a variety of surfaces to appeal to walkers, runners and cyclists. Another 60 km of additional trails are located in Provincial Parks and Conservations Areas within the municipality.

Two well-known trails that travel through our country and our province pass through the borders of Chatham-Kent:

Trail Maps

View a digital version of our Chatham-Kent Trail Map or pick up a paper copy from one of your local Municipal Service Centre's or libraries. This booklet features maps of over 55 unique trails located across Chatham-Kent. Enjoy an interactive version of this map below featuring 59 of our amazing trails!

Trail Events 

June 1: #TCT Trail Care Grant presents the volunteer-based clean-up event at the CASO Trail. The starting location is at the CASO Trail Entrance at Erie St. North (East side) large parking lot in Ridgetown, Ontario, the event is from 10am-1pm.

June 5: Greenfield Global Trail Grand Opening is taking place along Grand Ave. Cyclists will be permitted to ride the entire route as the roads will be closed to all non-local traffic that morning. The event starts at 10 am at the Blue Rotary Bench along Grand Ave between Bear Line and Fergie Jenkins Parkway. Refreshments will be available. 

June (entire month) is BIKE MONTH! Cycle down to your local library to pick up a free set of bike lights while supplies last, check out their play kits and cycling-related book packages. 

August (entire month) is CK TRAIL CHAllENGE. 

October (entire month) is WALK-TOBER! Walk down to your local library and pick up a free giveaway while supplies last, check out their play kits and trail walk-related book packages. 

Trail Counters

In late 2021 Municipal Staff started a count initiative on our trails, starting out small, they started to collect data on 3 trails. With the successful pull of data from those counts, the initiative expanded to cover as many as 22 count sites in 2021. With the ability to have 5 long-term count studies underway and to have as many as 8 rotating short-term count studies running simultaneously it has allowed staff to capture data sets from those 22 count sites between July 2021 and is ongoing. 

The trail counters are devices that are secured to natural and manufactured infrastructure. 

  • The counter is not a camera, it cannot see you. 
  • The counter is similar to a laser pointer, when the line is crossed, the signal counts a person. 
  • The counter is set at a specific height to ensure it is counting pedestrians and cyclists. 
  • The counters have no monetary value and will alert staff when tampered with, it is best to leave them alone. 
  • If you notice something wrong with a counter, please contact cktrails@chatham-kent.ca 
Data from the counters from October 2020-April 2022:
  • 503,034 Trail Walks/Cycling Trips took place throughout CK at the 22 test sites. 
  • 6,067 Trail walks took place on October 1st, making it the most walked day of the year!
  • 15,575 Cycling trips crossed paths with a count site. 
  • Trails with the highest usage:
    • Chatham at 49%
    • Erieau at 32%
    • Mitchells Bay at 7%
    • Ridgetown, Thamesville, Dresden, Blenheim and Wallaceburg with the remaining 12%

Trail Etiquette

  • Stay on the trail to avoid disturbing vegetation and private property.
  • Walking pedestrians have the right of way on recreational trails (cyclists, rollerbladers and runners should pass on the left when possible).
  • Do not litter - leave the trail cleaner than when you arrived.
  • Respect the privacy of those living along urban recreational trails.
  • No motorized vehicles are permitted on municipal recreational trails.
  • Trails are not maintained in the winter months - use them at your own risk.
  • Respect Chatham-Kent Public Health off-road safety recommendations.

By-laws

The Off-Road Vehicle By-Law does not permit off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on trails, pathways, parks or any recreational land. Public Parks & Recreation By-Law is to be followed on all trails and park pathways.

Chatham-Kent Trails Council

The Chatham-Kent Trails Council is our community partner in trail planning, building and maintenance. They are a team of dedicated volunteers who have promoted trails for more than a decade. The Municipality works closely with this group, whose members provide guidance on trail development and assist with identifying future trail building priorities and required trail upgrades. The Chatham-Kent Trails Council is also a member of the Ontario Trails Council, a non-profit organization that promotes the creation, development, preservation, management and use of recreational trails province-wide.

For more information on The Chatham-Kent Trails Council please visit the Chatham-Kent Trails website.

Community Youth Initiatives

Chatham Christian School partnered with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent on a project highlighting Mud Creek and the important role this municipal drain and wildlife preserve plays in our community. The grade 7 students researched and created interpretive signage posted along the pathway, and the grade 8 students created a video showing the importance of Mud Creek to our community. Watch their video on Mud Creek here and be sure to take a walk around Mud Creek and read the information signs along the way!

By-laws

The Off-Road Vehicle By-Law does not permit off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on trails, pathways, parks or any recreational land. Public Parks & Recreation By-Law is to be followed on all trails and park pathways.